The Evaluation Center
[PA Charter Schools Study Home]

Table 3
Preliminary Plan for Data Collection by Quarter

Activities
Sample
1st Quarter April - June
1999
2nd Quarter July - Sept.
1999
3rd Quarter Oct. - Dec.
1999
4th Quarter Jan.- March 2000
5th Quarter April- June 2000
6th Quarter July - Sept.
2000
Student Charter 
School Survey		 One class at each grade level at each school (Grades 5 and above)
X
    
X
    
Teacher Charter 
School Survey		 All teachers and staff
X
    
X
    
Parent Charter
School Survey		 The greater of 20 percent of the families or 25 per school      
X
    
Student School
Climate Survey		 One class at each grade level at each school (Grades 5 and above)      
X
    
Teacher School 
Climate Survey		 All teachers and staff working more than 15 hours per week      
X
    
Parent School
Climate Survey		 The greater of 20 percent of the families or 25 per school      
X
    
Interviews
With Teachers		 25 percent of all teachers
X
X
  
X
    
Interviews With CAOs/ Directors  All charter school CAOs/ directors
X
  
X
X
X
  
Interviews With Personnel From Local School Districts That Charter Representatives responsible for oversight of schools
X
      
X
  
Interviews With Community Stakeholders 5 per school community (these will occur in connection with  school visits)      
X
    
Local Public 
School Personnel Interviews		 2 per community
(in connection with scheduled school visits)
X
      
X
  
Focus Groups
With Students		 At least 10 students at each school    
X
X
X
  
Focus Groups
with Parents		 Minium of 1 focus group with 5-8 parents per community      
X
X
  
Interviews with
PDE Personnel		 Contact person(s) for the evaluation as well as other PDE staff that provide support to charter schools
X
X
X
X
X
X
Observations at Schools (classrooms, playground, and other facilities) All schools (this will continue during each school visit)
X
X
X
X
X
X
Longitudinal 
Follow-Up Studies		 All students at highest grade level provided by school   
X
      
X
Achievement
Tests		 All schools (we will use PSSA data and other available standardized test results)        
X
X
Student
Work Samples		 10 per school (these will be requested and reviewed during scheduled school visits)
X
  
X
X
X
  
Review School Procedures,
Policies, and
Other Documents		 All schools (documentation is collected during school visits, and files are maintained for each school)
X
  
X
X
X
  
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The Evaluation Center • Western Michigan University • Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5178
Phone: (616) 387-5895 • Fax: (616) 387-5923